"On, now, Jeremy!" cried Blood. "Straight into them before they
recover their wits. Stand by, there! Prepare to board! Hayton
... the grapnels! And pass the word to the gunner in the prow
to fire as fast as he can load."
He discarded his feathered hat, and covered himself with a steel
head-piece, which a negro lad brought him. He meant to lead this
boarding-party in person. Briskly he explained himself to his
two guests. "Boarding is our only chance here. We are too
heavily outgunned."
Of this the fullest demonstration followed quickly. The Frenchmen
having recovered their wits at last, both ships swung broadside on,
and concentrating upon the Arabella as the nearer and heavier and
therefore more immediately dangerous of their two opponents,
volleyed upon her jointly at almost the same moment.
Unlike the buccaneers, who had fired high to cripple their enemies
above decks, the French fifed low to smash the hull of their
assailant. The Arabella rocked and staggered under that terrific
hammering, although Pitt kept her headed towards the French so that
she should offer the narrowest target.
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